How to Get a Body Guard
Anyone with a modicum of combat skills can serve as a bodyguard. As with any other employee, however, you want one who's good at his or her job --- a person who can provide security for a wide variety of situations, stop potential threats before they start and maintain a professional demeanor while doing so. A number of reputable companies offer bodyguards and private-security services. To pick the right one, you simply need to know which questions to ask.
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Instructions
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Check the specific regulations for private-security firms in your state or local area. You want to hire a bodyguard from a firm that adheres to those regulations and is properly licensed by the government. PrivateSecurityRegulation.net has details about private-security laws for most states. (See Resources, below.)
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Make sure any security firms you contact are dependable. Find out about their hiring practices, insurance coverage and what qualifications their employees must meet before being hired. If possible, look for firms that employ graduates of Government Protective Services or Executive Protection Service courses. Experience with the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S Army Military Police or similar organizations with an emphasis on personnel protection is ideal.
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Ask for copies of the potential bodyguard's ID --- driver's license, Social Security number and professional references --- and perform a background check. Specifically, look for a criminal record. CentralBackgroundChecks.com performs online background checks, and you can also check with your state government. (See Resources below.)
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Prepare a non-disclosure agreement and have every applicant sign one before speaking to him or her. That allows you to be candid about any potential threats while protecting your privacy.
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Interview each applicant individually. Ask about previous experience, standard practices and what skills he or she has (for example, covering the subject in various situations, preparing for trips, reaction to a threat, handling of alarm systems, experience with firearms, and driving skills).
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Get a list of references --- ideally, previous clients --- and contact them (if possible) to ask about their experiences with your prospective bodyguard.
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Select the applicant who best fits your needs.
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Tips & Warnings
When interviewing a prospective bodyguard, look for someone who fits your lifestyle and can blend into your surroundings without standing out. You also want someone who is clean-cut, courteous, friendly and dependable. Applicants who come across as menacing are more likely to make situations worse than those who are calm, courteous and unflappable. A bodyguard's job is to keep you safe, not to prove how tough he or she is.
